Two chances to remember the Augustana Synod

September 17, 2010

The Augustana Synod was one of the Lutheran bodies that merged to become the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in 1962. Though relatively small in size, with less than half a million members, the synod’s emphasis on social service, ecumenism, and mission exhibited great impact on the LCA and now the ELCA.

Two upcoming events will give interested Lutherans the chance to have the “Augustana experience.”

The 15th Annual “Augustana Lutheran Worship” service will be held September 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, Minnesota. The Rev. William E. Berg, 100 years old this year, will preach; the organist will be John Swanson.

This will be the traditional hymn sing and service with a Holy Communion Liturgy. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service.

Luther Seminary will host its annual “Singing the Faith” hymn festival, a service of choir anthems, hymns, and readings celebrating the Lutheran Reformation. This year’s dinner and worship service will be held October 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Luther Seminary’s Olson Campus Center.

Gustavus Adolphus was one of several Midwestern colleges founded by the successors of the Scandinavian Augustana Synod tradition in the Lutheran church, which this year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the synod’s founding. Other institutions with an Augustana history include Bethesda Hospital, Lutheran Social Service, and Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Rock Island, Illinois.